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Over 200 ‘breathable’ mens & www.vegshoes.com non-leather womens materials made call: 01273 691913 [email protected] England styles! Tel: 01273vegshoes.com 691913 | [email protected] & Europe Ethical Consumer 1/4 page ad 0121.indd 1 13/01/2021 16:37 feelgood windows Enjoy the comfort and energy efficiency of triple glazed timber windows and doors ® Options to suit all budgets Friendly personal service and technical support from the low energy and Passivhaus experts www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk t: 01484 461705 2 Ethical Consumer March/April 2021 g b s windows ad 91x137mm Ethical C dec 2018 FINAL.indd 1 14/12/2018 10:42 ETHICAL CONSUMER Editorial WHO’S WHO This issue is focused on decarbonising It is being fought by the same lawyer THIS ISSUE’S EDITORS Josie Wexler, Ruth Strange, Rob Harrison your home, with guides to heat pumps, who won the 25% cut, who is looking to PROOFING Ciara Maginness (Little Blue Pencil) solar panels, solar thermal and repeat the success with a corporation. WRITERS/RESEARCHERS Jane Turner, Tim Hunt, electricity and gas suppliers. Royal Dutch Shell is being prosecuted Rob Harrison, Anna Clayton, Josie Wexler, The biggest priority for consumers is for its role in climate change, with Ruth Strange, Mackenzie Denyer, Clare Carlile, really heating. You can help a little bit, activists demanding not financial Francesca de la Torre, Alex Crumbie, Tom Bryson, Billy Saundry, Jasmine Owens but UK energy generation will mostly compensation, but that it cut emissions REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS Simon Birch, Colin Birch have to be decarbonised at the national by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. DESIGN Tom Lynton level, as our big renewable resource lies If Shell loses it could have widespread LAYOUT Adele Armistead (Moonloft), Jane Turner off the coast. And it is largely being done ramifications for how we can force COVER Tom Lynton through regulation. In this area, voting companies to act. Sara Shaw, Climate CARTOONS Marc Roberts, Mike Bryson, Andy Vine with your vote is more important than Justice and Energy program coordinator AD SALES Simon Birch SUBSCRIPTIONS Elizabeth Chater, voting with your wallet. at Friends of the Earth International, Francesca Thomas, Nadine Oliver However, there is only one place one of the NGOs bringing the case, said: PRESS ENQUIRIES Simon Birch, Tim Hunt where you can have a warm home, and “Our hope is that this case sparks a wave ENQUIRIES Francesca Thomas that is at home. Heating is not very of climate litigation that can hold other WEB EDITOR Sophie Billington sexy – it’s hard to feel awe at the austere corporations to account and bring on THANKS ALSO TO Marlous Veldt, Merle Büter, Emma Kerrison, Katy Davies, Alyson Tyler, Joel David beauty of a heat pump or some cavity the end of the fossil fuel age.” Taylor, Katie Percival, Charu Mittal, Fiona Hobson wall insulation. Surveys always show a The verdict on the case is expected All material correct one month before cover date general lack of knowledge or interest in May. and © Ethical Consumer Research Association on decarbonising heating compared to Ltd. ISSN 0955 8608 other areas. But we hope to generate The growth in the Ethical Printed with vegetable ink by RAP Spiderweb Ltd, some more sparks of interest with this Markets c/o the Commercial Centre, Clowes Centre, issue of the magazine, and to let you We also report in this magazine on our Hollinwood, Oldham OL9 7LY. 0161 947 3700 know more about what your options are. latest Ethical Markets report, which PAPER 100% post-consumer waste, chlorine-free We have decided to stop covering gas shows continued rapid growth in and sourced from the only UK paper merchant supplying only recycled papers – Paperback boilers, in recognition of the fact that we ethical-focused buying. And the figures (www.paperbackpaper.co.uk) all need to be getting off them soon if we that are available since the start of the RETAIL DISTRIBUTION is handled by Central Books are to tackle climate change. pandemic seem to suggest that Covid on 0845 458 9911. is only increasing interest in ethical Ethical Consumer is a member of INK consumption. (independent news collective), an association of Taking it to the courts radical and alternative publishers. Climate change is also, increasingly, Like this one, our next magazine will www.ink.uk.com being fought through the courts. By also be mostly covering quite large We are a Living Wage employer, a multi-stakeholder July 2020, there had been 1,587 purchases – we’re going to look at co-op, and Fair Tax Mark accredited. worldwide cases of climate washing machines, dishwashers, litigation.1 Courts have even fridges and cookers. But so begun ordering governments to everyone doesn’t drown in cut emissions: in 2019 the Dutch white goods, we’re going to government lost an appeal in its cover vacuum cleaners and supreme court and was thus beer as well. obliged to cut the Netherlands’ See you then. ABOUT THE ADVERTISERS greenhouse gas emissions ECRA checks out advertisers before accepting their by 25% on 1990 levels by Ref: 1 London School of Economics, ads and reserves the right to refuse any advert. the end of 2020. 2020 Global trends in climate COVERED IN PREVIOUS PRODUCT GUIDES We report in the change litigation Ecotricity (189), Green Stationery (185), Infinity Wholefoods (178), Kingfisher Toothpaste (184), electricity guide on page Pacari Chocolates (188), Vegetarian Shoes (185). 16 on another case that is ongoing in the OTHER ADVERTISERS Netherlands, which Big Exchange, Green Building Store, Investing JOSIE WEXLER Ethically, Practical Action, The Gorilla could have important EDITOR Organisation, The Path, Womankind. implications for ethical consumers. WHAT IS ETHICAL CONSUMER? Democratise the market by enabling Push for wider political action and 2consumers to assert their own ethical 5legislative change. Ethical consumerism is We are an independent, not-for-profit, multi- values by using our shopping guides. not a replacement for other forms of political stakeholder co-operative founded in 1989 action. But it is an important additional way and based in Manchester. Our primary goal is Have a fully transparent ranking system. All for people to exert their influence. making global businesses more sustainable 3our data is available to subscribers. through consumer pressure. Our mission is to: HOW TO CONTACT US Engage with companies by telling them why Unit 21, 41 Old Birley Street, Manchester, M15 5RF Help consumers to challenge corporate we are buying or not buying their products. 4 0161 226 2929 — 10-5pm 1 power by using their economic vote every We also send them detailed questions about [email protected] — general time they go shopping. their policy and practice on ethical issues. [email protected] — subscriptions ethicalconsumer.org 3 Moonloft ethical web & graphic design logos & design website branding for print design www.moonloft.com Corporate Research Ethical company Database screenings Ethical Consumer offers quick and cost effective screenings to help you to ensure that partners, suppliers, sponsors or potential investments will not pose a reputational risk, or clash with your own ethics, values and mission. Past and present clients include: Subscribe to Ethical Consumer’s Corporate Research Database for information on over 25,000 companies and brands. Access in-depth, independent analysis of corporate ethical policies, reporting and performance across 18 social, environmental and animal welfare categories. Easily search the ethical and environmental records of suppliers, sponsors, contractors and competitors. Annual subscriptions start at £850 (+VAT) Screenings are available from just £150 (+VAT) 0161 226 2929 0161 226 2929 [email protected] [email protected] 4 Ethical Consumer March/April 2021 ETHICAL CONSUMER Contents NEWS FEATURES SHOPPING GUIDES 06 Food & Home 40 Shooting wildlife? Green Home Energy British Sugar and neonicotinoids, Updated report on binoculars and 10 Introduction supermarket plastic, brands sports optics’ links to hunting and the supporting Burma military military 20 Grants for heat pumps and solar thermal 08 Climate No to coal in Cumbria, Barclays and HSBC risk losing customers 40 Gas and electricity 12 Introduction 08 14 Score Table & Best Buys 16 Lawsuits over climate culpability 17 Energy companies’ global exploits 17 09 Clothes Viscose update, stop genocidal trade, 46 Ethical Consumer Markets Boohoo buys Debenhams report The state of the UK ethical market in 31 Ethical Novice 2019 Heating Solar PV 36 Tax justice 21 Introduction #TaxTechNow actions, freeports REGULARS 22 Score Table & Best Buys 37 Money 43 Gift subscriptions 24 Act to support community Action against war on Yemen Give a gift subscription to Ethical schemes Consumer 38 Boycotts 24 Stop Hate for Profit victory, boycott 48 Letters Beijing Olympics A regular forum for readers’ views 39 Almeria campaign 50 Inside view News from Spain The great Brexit fiasco 44 Lush Spring Prize Apply for the 2021 Prize.